Prosecutors to seek death penalty in child-death case

Published: Friday, February 5, 2010 at 10:07 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 5, 2010 at 10:07 a.m.

HOUMA — The Terrebonne Parish District Attorney’s Office announced this morning it will seek the death penalty against William Henderson, 23, of Chauvin, who is accused of killing a baby.

Authorities said Henderson broke the forearms of 10-month-old Kaleb Nelton, his girlfriend's son, Oct. 20 and smothered him while trying to quiet the child's crying.

He was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in November. He pleaded not guilty in December.

Authorities said Henderson is also charged with cruelty to a juvenile for beating his girlfriend's other son, Kaden, 2.

Prosecutor Mark Rhodes had been weighing whether to argue for the death penalty in Henderson’s case. He considered the opinion of Kaleb’s relatives as well as aggravating factors such as the child’s injuries while making a decision, he has said.

The decision was announced via a news release from District Attorney Joe Waitz.

“At this time it would be inappropriate to comment on any facet of the case including the decision making process employed in the making of this decision,” Waitz writes.

Check for the full story in Saturday's print and online editions of The Courier and Daily Comet.

<p>HOUMA — The Terrebonne Parish District Attorney's Office announced this morning it will seek the death penalty against William Henderson, 23, of Chauvin, who is accused of killing a baby.</p><p>Authorities said Henderson broke the forearms of 10-month-old Kaleb Nelton, his girlfriend's son, Oct. 20 and smothered him while trying to quiet the child's crying. </p><p>He was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in November. He pleaded not guilty in December.</p><p>Authorities said Henderson is also charged with cruelty to a juvenile for beating his girlfriend's other son, Kaden, 2.</p><p>Prosecutor Mark Rhodes had been weighing whether to argue for the death penalty in Henderson's case. He considered the opinion of Kaleb's relatives as well as aggravating factors such as the child's injuries while making a decision, he has said.</p><p>The decision was announced via a news release from District Attorney Joe Waitz.</p><p>“At this time it would be inappropriate to comment on any facet of the case including the decision making process employed in the making of this decision,” Waitz writes.</p><p>Check for the full story in Saturday's print and online editions of The Courier and Daily Comet.</p>